The nation has begun construction on what it describes as the country’s largest and most advanced domestically made anti-submarine frigate, a military-owned newspaper reported.
The vessel, being built at the defence ministry’s Song Thu Shipyard in Danang City, will also have most of its weapons and military equipment developed or assembled in the country, the Quan Doi Nhan Dan newspaper said late on Monday.
Vietnam has been seeking to expand its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities while reducing reliance on imported military hardware sourced largely from Russia.
The project supports Vietnam’s push for an “autonomous, self-reliant, dual-use and modern” defence industry, the government said.
Military-run telecoms and technology group Viettel, along with other defence research and manufacturing units, would work closely with the navy and Song Thu during the construction of the vessel, including the development and installation of weapons and equipment, the report said. — Reuters
